PRICE OF POTATOES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1928, Page 3

PRICE OF POTATOES

QUESTION OF IMPORTATION. , AUCKLAND, Oct. 1. The marked rise in tlie price of potatoes, which are in remarkably short siipply, pi'ompted some Auckland merchants to-day to telegraph to the Minister for Agriculture requesting that the restrictions on importations from Australia should he removed. Conjecture as to the cause of the position which has arisen so suddenly is divided between belief that a “coroner” has been negotated and that the shortage of potatoes is a real one-

Discussing the position, an Auckland merchant said his and other city firms were resting in the belief that there were sufficient potatoes in the South Island obtainable at a reasonable price to last until the new season’s supplies came on the market. However, without warning, the market began to rise three or four weeks ago. Potatoes quoted at £5 10s to £5 12s 6d f.o.b. Lyttelton at the beginning of September advanced to £7 os a week ago, while to-day October deliveries of South Islarid potatoes are quoted round about £l3 10s landed in Auckland. Some merchants at this end have, given thought to tlie possibility of the market having been “cornered” by a Wellington firm which some time ago sent thousands of sacks to Auckland and stored them here, but it is understo'd these reserves have now been largely diminished through The buying of city merchants from this quarter rather than from the South Island direct. Whatever the cause of the present position it would be remedied if the existing regulations governing importations from Melbourne and Tasmania were removed. So stringent were the conditions of importing, said the merchant, that to attempt shipment was well-nigh impossible. At the current price in Tasmania, potatoes could be landed in Auckland from there 'at about £6 10s a ton compared with £l3 10s for South Island supplies.